English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Etymology — The origins of English words

Where do words come from? Trace the origin and history of any English word, from its Latin, Greek or Old English roots through to its modern meaning. Every etymology is sourced.

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From Old Northern French compost, "a mixture of leaves, manure, and the like for fertilizing land," ultimately from Latin compositus, "put together." A doublet of "compote" and "composite."

From virtual plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From the occupation "tailor" — someone who cuts and sews clothing — spelled with a y instead of an i.

From French municipal, from Latin municipalis, ultimately from mūnus ("duty") plus capiō ("to take") — the same idea behind a citizen taking on civic duties.

Borrowed in the 1600s from an Italian dialect form of detto, "said" — the past participle of dire, "to say," from Latin dicere.

From Latin censor, an ancient Roman magistrate who oversaw the census and public morality.

From colony plus the adjective suffix -al.

From Latin doctoratus.

From doctor + -al.

From Latin duplicatus, "doubled," the past participle of duplicare.

From Latin subserviens, present participle of subservio, "to serve under."

From Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, from sub- ("under") plus ōrdināre ("to order, arrange").

From Old French residence, from Medieval Latin residentia, from Latin resideo, "to remain behind".

From Old French resembler, from re- plus sembler ("to seem").

Formed from some + what.

From Latin remedium, from re- ("again") + mederi ("to heal").

From Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare, "to leave alone, forsake" — from de- + solus ("alone").

From Old English stōl ("chair, seat"), an ancient Germanic word also behind German Stuhl and Dutch stoel; ultimately from a root meaning "to stand".

From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.

From Old English twiterian, an old word imitating the chirping sound of birds; the social-media platform borrowed the word directly for its name.

A worn-down form of Middle English twyx, with a small added -t sound, related to "between."

From endorse plus the noun-forming suffix -ment.

From Old French endosser ("to put on the back"), from Latin dorsum ("back") — the same root as "dorsal." The "r" was later reinserted under the influence of Medieval Latin indorsare.

From French hasardeux, built on "hazard" plus the adjective ending "-ous."